The emergence of the next sage in the Springs State sent ripples of astonishment and hope throughout the empire. The capital, once shrouded in mourning for the passing of the previous sage, now buzzed with anticipation. The city's residents gathered in hushed groups to discuss the validity of these rumors, their voices filled with wonder and speculation.
"Did you hear? A new sage is sighted in a small town. What was it again? Ark well?" A maid spoke to the young gardener.
"Ark Springs," the gardener replied, casting a glance toward the distant hills. The news of a new sage was indeed a topic of intrigue among the servants, even if it seemed far removed from their daily lives.
Meanwhile, Duke Emrys continued his work on the second floor, the soft rustling of papers and the occasional creak of the floorboards filling the room. He seemed unfazed by the whispers of the servants, his attention wholly absorbed by the task at hand.
In the midst of this, the door to Emrys's office swung open without a knock, and Crown Prince Remiel entered, a picture of nonchalance. He sauntered over to the sofa, dropping onto it with practiced ease, as if he owned the room. His presence filled the space, and he regarded Emrys with an easygoing smile.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, Remiel?" Emrys inquired, setting aside his work and giving the crown prince his full attention.
"You know exactly why I am here,"
"If it is about abandoning your royal duties to go and find the sage with me, then no, I will have to refuse once again. I have orders from his majesty to keep you in the capital," Emrys leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips as he exchanged banter with the crown prince.
Remiel rolled his eyes and leaned back in the sofa, exuding an air of exasperated theatricality. "But it's the new sage we're talking about! I heard it even rained there. Come on, how come you get to go on a fun adventure?"
Emrys couldn't help but chuckle at Remiel's enthusiasm. Their bond, though not bound by blood, was as strong as any brotherly connection. "It's not about fun, Remiel. I have the responsibility to instate the new sage as soon as possible."
The crown prince let out an exaggerated sigh. "Responsibilities, responsibilities. You sound just like Father."
"Well, he did teach me a thing or two about duty." Emrys replied, to which Remiel made a funny face. A silence fell in the office as Emrys returned to his paperwork.
Remiel looked around and his sight fell on a familiar figure on the wall. "You still have her portrait,"
Emrys followed Remiel's gaze, his eyes landing on a finely crafted portrait hanging on the wall. It was Ruth, his former wife.
"She was a peculiar one. Quite infamous in court." The prince remarked nonchalantly.
Emrys's expression shifted, but he kept his composure. "Yes, she certainly was."
He knew Ruth struggled under the weight of the duchy and its immense responsibility. Yet it was impressive how she never gave up and tried her best.
"Even her exit became a phenomenal shock to us all." The crown prince recalled,
"Indeed." The duke sighed.
Emrys thought of the time of their divorce. He had not expected his ex-wife to immediately leave the mansion after he had agreed to the divorce. Was that the extent of her frustrations with him and the title? When he came home that day, he had expected to at least talk over the matter and come to a civil conclusion. However, she was not there to greet him at the door like she used to. He had asked the servants and they all reported that the duchess had simply packed her bags and left.
Emrys and Remiel exchanged a final contemplative glance before their attention was drawn to an urgent knock on the door.
The door swung open, and a breathless messenger burst into the room, his face pale with distress.
"Your Highness, Duke Emrys," he gasped, "an urgent message from the palace. The Crown Princess... she has collapsed after an attempted assassination! The healers are with her, but the situation is dire."
Emrys and Remiel swiftly exited the office and made their way to the stables. They spurred their horses into action and galloped away from the estate, heading toward the palace.
In the grand chamber of the palace, with its opulent draperies and ornate furnishings, Emrys and Remiel rushed to the side of the bed where the unconscious princess lay. Her fragile form seemed even smaller beneath the towering canopy of the bed. Remiel held the princess' hand in his while he hoped for his love to open her eyes.
Emrys placed a comforting hand on Remiel's shoulder, offering silent support. The crown prince's eyes were glistening with unshed tears as he looked down at his wife, a mix of anguish and fear etched across his face.
Seeing Remiel's distress, Emrys tried to maintain his composure. He turned his gaze to the physicians who were bustling around the room, their expressions intent as they attempted to diagnose the poison responsible for the crown princess's sudden collapse.
"Who did this?!" Remiel demanded.
Remiel's voice quivered with a mix of anger and despair as he leaned closer to his unconscious wife. His eyes blazed with a fierce determination to get to the bottom of the situation.
Emrys, his own features hard with concern, put a reassuring hand on Remiel's shoulder. "We will find out what happened. Right now, let the healers do their work."
The room buzzed with activity as the royal physicians continued their examinations. They checked the crown princess's pulse, her breathing, and her vitals, searching for any clues that might explain her sudden collapse.
The atmosphere was tense, and all eyes were fixed on the bed where the crown princess lay, as if their collective hope could somehow revive her.
The sight of the unconscious crown princess, her face etched with pain, was heart-wrenching for Emrys and Remiel. But when she began to cry even in her unconscious state, it was a haunting and deeply distressing moment.
Remiel stood frozen for a moment, his face a mix of anguish and helplessness. Emrys, though equally concerned, maintained his composure and motioned for the attending physician to examine her immediately.
The physician hurriedly checked her vitals, trying to understand the cause of her tears. For a moment, the room was filled with a palpable tension, as everyone feared the worst.
In the midst of this tense moment, a weak but unmistakable cry escaped the lips of the unconscious crown princess. Her voice trembled with vulnerability as she called out,
"Ruth... Ruth..."
Emrys and Remiel exchanged a quick, surprised glance, uncertain of what to make of this sudden revelation. The crown princess's cries began to subside, replaced by a fragile stillness. The room, once filled with her sobs, was now eerily quiet. There were no more chances of uncovering the mystery behind the name, Ruth.